In the close protection and Self-protection industry we are always talking about 'Situational Awareness' as part of our first line of defence. While out driving, walking down the street or at our place of work, we should always be aware of our surroundings, the people around us, the atmosphere, the traffic and so on. Easy when you know how, but there is one job where being situationally aware is just not possible, the outside broadcast being given by a reporter / Journalist /correspondent who is out in public, on the street in front of a camera; reporting on whatever news event is being covered in sometimes hostile environments or hostile situations.

Their whole focus is 100% on the camera or on the person being interviewed while the cameramans job is to concentrate on the person giving the broadcast or to film the events as they unfold.

Listed below are some of the countries where journalists have been attacked and these attacks are not isolated incidents. In some cases what at first may seem like a peaceful environment can quickly turn into a life threatening situation. In some cases it has, with journalists being killed, robbed and violently or sexually assaulted.UKUSASwedenChinaGermanyEgyptThailandBelgiumAustralia CanadaFranceSouth AfricaVenezuela IraqAfghanistan Saudi Arabia

In all of the above countries; not only have local reporters been attacked but also western reporters have come under attack also, both men and women. Not only have we seen these attacks but also the real possibility of an attack occurring just by the presence of a reporter and camera crew in the area.

The antics of som emenbers of the public in the presence of a TV camera can at times seem funny to those watching at home but can be worrying for both reporter and crew who need to be professional and concentrate on the job at hand.We have seen these antics on streets with only a few people around to large sporting events, marches and demonstrations. Who is to say if wnd when the clowning around will not turn suddenly violent.

We have seen investigative reporters become victims from asking probing questions to those under some form of investigation or for simply asking a question to the wrong person on the street..

In 2015 110 journalists were killed while doing their job, only 11 of these were killed in Syria and 12 killed in Iraq with the rest being killed in 'peaceful ' countries. These were also found to be due to deliberate violence targeted towards journalists. In 2016 there were 115 journalists killed while doing their job and so far this year 22 have been killed. From 2016 it has been found to be the most dangerous times to be a journalists with over 400 reports of violence or threats of violence throughout the EU. It has also been found that many do not report either threats or actual acts of violence.

In countries where journalists are reporting on political, social or religious upheaval or activities there is a very real threat of imprisonment as has been seen with last year with over 400 journalists detained.

You can see when protecting journalists how you could easily find yourself faced with a single threat and very quickly find yourself protecting them from various threat levels simultaneously.

Depending on the actual threat, perceived threat, location and players involved, good local ground knowledge and a sound escape & evasion plan may be a must, should the situation deteriorate at a rapid rate of knots.

If the situation on the ground deteriorates as in the riot pictured above; I hope your skill sets are up to the task at hand.

See our course dates page for up and coming Close Protection Combat Systems training courses.